I really avoided Doctor Who until recently; I used to hate the old versions of the series and assumed I would probably dislike the new ones. I watched a couple of the first series with Christopher Ecclestone and Billie Piper but really failed to enjoy them...

That said, I have watched some of series 2-4 now and am really enjoying them (especially the ones post Billie Piper!) I think it may just be David Tennant managing to play a very entertaining character that is carrying it for me.

Many other people watching the current series?

Funko

09-06-2008, 15:13:13

Yes.

It's mostly pretty good. I liked Christopher Ecclestone, but David Tennant has made him look a bit shit because he's so good.

MDA

11-06-2008, 11:10:10

catching it on reruns here, I like it, and David Tennant turned out to be amazing

Debaser

11-06-2008, 12:09:52

*generic Dr Who rant*

For the first time in years I watched Doctor Who at the weekend. I just don't get it. The effects were rubbish (some were just default Aftereffects and Photoshop options), the dialogue was stupid, and the acting, particularly the "amazing" Tennant, would have looked over the top on young kids TV. I mentioned this to my girlfriend (we were watching it 'cos she wanted to) and she said that those reasons are why she likes it. Huh? The best thing I would say about it is that for the time it's on some of the ideas are quite creepy and sinister, but when they're so badly executed what's the point?

Scabrous Birdseed

11-06-2008, 14:41:20

Plus the filmized DV looks absolutely rubbish. Why not use proper cameras? Doesn't the BBC have the budget?

Funko

11-06-2008, 15:49:03

Doesn't the BBC have the budget?

In a word, no. Film is v. expensive. Dr Who is just about as big budget as they get for the BBC. They recommend £700,000 per hour for drama, Dr Who is around £700,000 per 45 minutes.

For comparison, Battlestar Galactica, which saves a lot of money by using the same sets and costumes all the time, costs $1m for it's cheapest 45 minutes, and up to $4.5m for it's expensive episodes. The sets and costumes thing is the reason so many Dr Who episodes are set on earth. Creating a whole new world is very expensive

Of course the BBC budget doesn't seem to allow them to spend more on dramas that make them more money, Dr Who's sold over the world and sells tons of merch.

It's probably the best special effects from any British sci-fi show ever. Not that that's saying much. 15-20 years behind US TV. But it's good enough for suspension of disbelief, which is better than any previous series. (especiallt if you don't know anything about default photoshop or whatever effects)

MDA

16-06-2008, 13:17:39

I guess over-the-top characters and quirky special effects were exactly the kind of things I was looking for.

I'm old enough to remember TV from the 70's and have an overactive imagination. Special effects have to be exceptionally bad to change my mind about a show.

Funko

16-06-2008, 13:18:29

Latest show was really good. Hardly any effects and hardly any sets.

Kitsuki

16-06-2008, 19:52:07

Hmm, I didn't enjoy the one last Sat... It dragged.

Gramercy Riffs

19-06-2008, 11:15:54

I like it, think Tennant is really good and even Catherine Tate is bearable. The Library episode was fantastic, good to see Steve Pemberton appear too.

Scabrous Birdseed

21-06-2008, 12:24:09

So why do shows like The Midsommer Murders look well filmed then? Is it an either/or issue with sfx?

Funko

23-06-2008, 07:57:07

I don't think I've ever watched that so I don't really know. I guess they have a similar budget but no special effects so they can spend more in different areas.

Debaser

23-06-2008, 08:08:07

Dr Who is definitely supposed to look a bit pantomime. It always has.

I'm starting to come round to it though, last Saturday's was good.

Funko

23-06-2008, 08:42:51

It was.

Debaser

23-06-2008, 08:46:28

(I secretly think I enjoyed it 'cos Tennant wasn't in it much)

Funko

23-06-2008, 08:50:09

:lol:

Kitsuki

23-06-2008, 10:41:15

Originally posted by Scabrous Birdseed
So why do shows like The Midsommer Murders look well filmed then? Is it an either/or issue with sfx?

It's a lot easier and cheaper to turf up with your camera crew outside a beautiful little village with charming church and country house and get filming than to construct an equally convincing sci-fi set...?

King_Ghidra

23-06-2008, 13:20:31

saturday's was the first i have seen properly really and i thought it was really good, obviously kicking off a story arc as opposed to being a one-off helps

Funko

30-06-2008, 09:58:23

Well, I totally didn't see that coming.

Spoilers below if you haven't seen Saturday's yet.

http://www.radiotimes.com/blogs/349-doctor-who-the-stolen-earth/

Kitsuki

30-06-2008, 20:57:29

Do we think he is really going to die though...?

I just reckon the BBC would fail to keep something *this* big secret...

MOBIUS

30-06-2008, 21:27:27

Yeah, that's such a massive secret surely someone would have leaked it by now...

But it does pose the question: 'Who' would you have as the next Doctor?

Kitsuki

30-06-2008, 22:15:54

One rumour I have heard is Alan Davies - doubt there is much truth to the rumour but I think he would make a brilliant Doctor.

Gramercy Riffs

30-06-2008, 22:30:53

Alan Davies? Good God no. I've also heard James Nesbitt's name raised. This would be terrible.

Personally I'd go for Rhys Ifans - very underrated actor.

Kitsuki

30-06-2008, 22:37:30

I'm with you on Nesbitt - but why not Davies? He's good at playing quirky characters (ala Jonathan Creek.)

Rhys Ifans would be good too. I wonder if a comic actor like David Mitchell could pull it off...?